Holy Wars scenario by David Morovan, Kadgard@aol.com



  For two centuries, starting at 1095, the christian
kingdoms of Europe waged war against the Muslim empires
in the east. These senseless campaigns are known as the
crusades. 

  This scenario begins in 1095 AD. During this time
Pope Urban II begins to incite the crusades. In the lands 
held by the Turks there would be wealth and territory that
would be very beneficial to the economically suffering
kingdoms of Europe. The Holy war was not being waged 
only in the Eastern world. In south western Europe, the
kingdoms of Spain struggled to reconquer the Iberian
peninsula and bring back Christianity to the region.
These campaigns were known as "La Reconquista" or reconquest.
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  THE PLAYERS:

 English: Based on the North Western british Iles, this 
 christian kingdom is far from the action, and is not too
 influential in the Holy Wars. They have a medium sized army
 accompanied by a somewhat powerful Navy. The Channel buys the English 
 a lot of time to increase the already strong defenses in the Iles, 
 incase the Franks or Holy Romans set their greedy eyes on them.

 Franks: Controlling a large amount of Territory in Europe, the
 Frankish kingdom is the second most powerful in this continent.
 They control a large army, however they have a small navy. Even
 though they share the common goal of their neighboring kingdoms
 the Franks always act hostile towards them. Having cities on the
 Mediterranean Coast, it is easier for them to play an active role
 in the Holy War.

 Holy Romans: Representing the Germans, Italians, and Papal state
 are the Holy Romans. They can be considered the most powerful 
 Christian Kingdom. Controlling a vast territory in Central Europe,
 the Holy Romans are conviniently located close to the Byzantine Empire,
 and therefor the region of Anatolia (largely controlled by the Turks).
 Unfortunately their campaigns will be slowed down, by the Slavic 
 kingdoms which are between Holy Roman territory and Anatolia. 
 They have a very powerful army with a high number of infantry units.
 Their navy can be considered small. Having northern Italy under their
 control gives them a Naval advantage as the powerful Italian cities
 have access to the Mediterranean. Like the Franks, this kingdom is 
 hostile towards their neighbors. Being the most powerful Kingdom in 
 Europe they can become a formidable obstacle towards reaching your 
 goal, wether being the Muslims or any other Christian Kingdom.

 Spains: Representing the kingdoms of Spain are the Spains. Controlling 
 the Northern christian half of the Iberian peninsula, they are weak 
 and are threatened by the Franks in the north, and the Moors in the South. 
 The Moors, however are represented by the Barbarian Civ and therefor 
 don't pose an offensive threat. The Moorish cities do make a good prize 
 so making these your targets when playing as the Spains would be a good 
 idea as the Fatimids will expand in this region later on in the game. 
 The Spains have a small army which is 50/50 in the ratio of Infantry 
 to Cavalry units. Their navy is small but being located where they are, 
 they can have a big piece of the action.

 Byzantines: The remains of the ancient empire struggle to stop yet 
 another wave of Invasions. Centuries have made them weak, but very 
 advanced in sience and culture. Located right on the war front the 
 Byzantines experience, and influence a large portion of the Action. 
 All the European Kingdoms have some hostility towards Byzantium, and 
 fortifying their western borders will do them a lot good. They have 
 a small army, but their varangian guards unit gives them a big advantage 
 when it comes to defenses. Their navy is a medium one, and their 
 location allows them easy naval access to the Muslim regions in 
 Northern Africa and Egypt, as well as Syria.

 Seljuk Turks: Controlling a very large portion of the Muslim world are 
 the Seljuk Turks. Their Turkic origin has allowed them to produce 
 the best mounted units in this time period. Also, their contacts and 
 similarities with the nomadic peoples of western and central Asia allows 
 them to build powerful units which represent the nomadic populations 
 that converted to islam, and therefor offered their services in its name. 
 Control of Baghdad and other great Muslim centers has given them a boost in 
 Technology, and culture. Their powerful army is 50/50 when it comes to the Cavalry 
 to Infantry ratio. They have a small navy that won't do them too much good.
 Since their area of control borders the Byzantines in Anatolia, and the Fatimids in Egypt,
 it is recommended that they concentrate on building land units and taking on offensives. The 
 Fatimids and Byzantines don't pose too much of an offensive threat.

 Fatimids: From the side of Fatima come the Fatimids. They are struggling to withstand the
 Turkish, and Christian offensives, but moreso the Turkish one. They control a vast amount of
 territory in Northern Africa and have a weak presence in Syria. Like the Byzantines, they are
 very advanced scientifically. Their army is a somewhat powerful one, but they have strong naval
 presence in the Mediterranean. Being close to Al-Andalus, it is recommended that they begin offensives
 the barbarian controlled cities there. They will have to worry more about the Seljuk advance, than the
 Christian campaigns against them.
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  THE GOAL:

  There are no protagonists in this scenario, but total victory still requires a lot of effort.
 Here are the requirements:

 Decisive Victory: 100 points
 Marginal Victory: 80  points
 Marginal Defeat:  50  points
 Decisive Defeat:  25  points
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  NOTES ON UNITS:

 The English, French, Holy Romans, and Spains all have their own type of knights. These knights all have the same
 strengths, and weaknesses:

 Knights = English Knight
 Chevaliers = French Knight
 Ritters = These are German knights, but they belong Holy Roman Empire.
 Caballeros = Iberian (Spanish) Knight

 Special Christian Units:

 Templars: These are very useful offensive units that require the knowledge of Pilgrimage.
 Hospitalers: They require the knowledge of Religious Order, and are best used for defense.
 Halberdiers: These are very useful in defense however the knowledge of tactics is needed.
 Men-at-arms: Like the Halberdiers, they require the knowledge of Tactics. These are very good
 for both defense, and offense.

 Special Muslim units:

 Ascaris: Belonging to the Seljuks, they are the most powerful cavalry force in the beginning of the
 scenario.
 Mamlukes: Known as the Slave Soldiers, the Mamlukes are the most powerful Cavalry the Fatimids have.
 Turanians: Representing the general Turkish Converts to Islam are the Turanians which can only be used
 by the Seljuks.
 Pirates: These are powerfull offensive units that require the knowledge of Recruiting Order.
 Mntd. Berbers: By learning conversion, the Fatimids can organize powerful cavalry units from the Berbers.
 Tocrumans: With Recruiting Order the Seljuks can use these strong nomads to their advantage.
 Kipchak Troop: By learning Conversion, the Seljuks can recruit these nomads of the Russian Steppes.
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 WONDERS OF THIS ERA:

 Commercial Revolution: With new organizations within trade, prosperity can be increased. This Wonder adds
 an extra trade arrow in each city square that already produces one.

 Social Changes: During this time period there were many changes taking place that were shaping the society.
 This wonder doubles the effect of your temples.

 Great Charter: This great wonder requires the knowledge of Council of Lords and Clergy. It counts as a police station
 in all of your cities.

 Common Law: This wonder requires the knowledge of Common Law and gives you a happy citizen in each city.

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 That is all the help I'm giving you, the rest you'll have to find yourself. I would like to thank Jess Balsinde (jbalsinde@ucsd.edu)
 for helping me out with the historical accuracy of this scenario. If you have any questions or comments please E-mail me at Kadgard@aol.com
 
 Enjoy,
  David Morovan
 

  